Production Lab and Glaze Manager | EXA Ceramics

Job description: Job Purpose To lead and manage the Production Laboratory and Glaze Preparation sections by ensuring consistent quality, process efficiency, and production innovation through raw material testing, glaze formulation, process optimization, and team development to meet production targets and quality standards. Key Accountability Areas Laboratory Management • Supervise lab activities including raw material analysis, chemical testing, and quality issue correction advice. • Develop and implement testing protocols for new materials and formulations. • Maintain calibration and upkeep of lab equipment. Glaze Preparation Management • Manage glaze formulation, mixing, and application processes. • Collaborate with R&D and design teams to develop new glaze effects and finishes. • Monitor glaze performance during production and troubleshoot issues. • Ensure accurate documentation of glazing recipes and process parameters. Production Monitoring, Adjustment & Follow-Up • Monitor shade variation and take corrective action when deviations are identified. • Obtain approval from the R&D Manager for product changes and adjustments before commercial production start-up. • Communicate required information to related departments from body preparation to kiln regarding developed bodies, glazes, and pilot run production. • Ensure specified parameters are communicated, included, and maintained in the concerned departments. • Control pigments and raw materials related to glazes and regularly check related inventory. Technology, Process Optimization & Innovation • Analyze production data to identify areas for improvement. • Support trials and pilot runs for new products and processes. • Control pigments and raw materials related to glazes and regularly check related inventory. Reporting & Documentation • Prepare regular reports on lab results, glaze performance, and production KPIs. • Maintain accurate records of tests, formulations, and process changes. • Participate in audits and contribute to quality assurance documentation. Role Accountability HR Proficiency: • Ability to recruit, recognize and cultivate high performers and expose them in order to create a robust second line of management. • Ability to recognize low performers and guide them to improve or release them. • Ability to treat subordinates equally without any discrimination. • Assessment criteria of subordinates is performance that leads to planned results. • Ensure availability of delegation of authority matrix to have sufficient delegations as per company policy. Responsibility: • Must take full responsibility for his operation as per the job description and the required deliverables from this position, taking into consideration the general company guidelines. • Able to anticipate problems and make the necessary proactive steps to prevent them • Ability to take necessary and proper timely decisions. Delivery: • Deliver the required results in timely manner with required quality and cost. • Making a Tangible Difference: • Must make a tangible difference to his area of operation. and exceed business expectations. Business Planning and Performance: • Able to transform the corporate goals into business plans. • Able to Plan, follow-up and execute those plans, whether they are annual or development plans. • Monitor the plan performance and initiate action to strengthen results and take the corrective action accordingly. • Provide periodic work progress reports. • Responsible for monitoring and controlling budgets and expenses to achieve the optimum cost efficiency. Organizational Development: • Develop the organizational structure according to the current requirements taking into consideration future and development plans. • Ensure availability of job descriptions for all job roles and deployment. Business Process Improvements: • Develop, coordinate well-defined written systems, policies, procedures, and seek automations opportunities as much as possible. • Should be conversant and able to navigate through IT solutions especially those relevant to his job and business. • Promote the automated systems and using them fully, to spread its culture. Quality: • Quality is considered as alfanar’s prime competitive advantage as such, managers are expected to act accordingly. Adaptation: • Adapt to new and alternative techniques, technologies, management structures, and business models. Health, Safety and Environment: • Ensure a safe, secure, and legal work environment as per the standard regulations. Academic Qualification Bachelor Degree in Ceramic Engineering or Any relevant field Work Experience 4 to 6 Years Technical / Functional Competencies Safety Awareness and Compliance Reporting Product Development Profile description: Alfanar is a Saudi company with an international presence, primarily engaged in the manufacturing and trading of a wide variety of low, medium, and high voltage electrical products, in addition to its portfolio of conventional and renewable energy solutions, oil and gas, water treatment, infrastructure, technical services, and digital solutions. The hub of alfanar’s manufacturing operations is Medinet alfanar Alsinaiya, a 700,000 square-meter complex located in Riyadh. The complex houses an array of ultra-modern manufacturing facilities and laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and staffed with highly skilled professionals. alfanar derives its success from its commitment to providing the highest quality standards to its customers, and the continuous development of its human capital, who alfanar considers its most valuable asset. With this in mind, alfanar promotes a proactive work environment where its employees are always valued, nurtured, and empowered to fuel their pride in being part of alfanar. For more information about alfanar, please visit alfanar.com Show more Show less

Bachelor Degree in Ceramic Engineering or Any relevant field. Experience: 4 to 6 Years. Technical / Functional Competencies: Safety Awareness and Compliance, Reporting, Product Development.

Lead and manage the Production Laboratory and Glaze Preparation sections to ensure quality, process efficiency, and production innovation. Responsibilities include supervising lab activities (raw material analysis, chemical testing, quality issue correction), developing testing protocols, maintaining calibration and upkeep of lab equipment, managing glaze formulation and application processes, collaborating with R&D and design teams, monitoring glaze performance, documenting glazing recipes and process parameters, monitoring shade variation and taking corrective actions, obtaining approvals for product changes from the R&D Manager, communicating information across departments, maintaining parameters and inventory control of pigments and raw materials, analyzing production data for improvements, supporting trials and pilots, preparing regular reports on lab results and KPIs, maintaining records, and participating in audits and quality assurance documentation.